‘Art & Soul IV’ exhibit features local artists

‘Art & Soul IV’ exhibit features local artists

ASU Mid- South hosts DeltaARTS, Mid- South Health Systems display

DeltaARTS Mid-South Health Systems and Arkansas State University Mid-South celebrates the opening night for their collaborative exhibit, “Art & Soul IV: A Creative Journey Toward Recovery,” tonight from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the ASU Mid-South Donald W. Reynolds Center, 2000 W. Broadway, in West Memphis.

Curated by DeltaARTS, “Art & Soul IV” features a diverse collection of artistic subjects and media created by Mid-South Health Systems clients. Artwork is on display at ASU Mid-South through March 9, and will be open to the public Monday- Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At last year’s opening, ASU Mid-South Chancellor Dr. Debra West spoke about the importance of collaboration in the community. DeltaARTS Executive Director Amelia Barton said in her remarks that “Art & Soul” is one of DeltaARTS’ favorite events, and that artistic collaborations like “Art & Soul” are vital to enhancing the aesthetic value of the community.

Mid-South Health System clients have been working on for the last year with MSHS Art Therapist, Kathy Daniel Sorrels. For almost five decades, Mid-South Health Systems has been a vital part of eastern Arkansas communities, continually growing and expanding to ensure the best mental health services available.

'We are trying to encourage all forms of free selfexpression through drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.,” Sorrels said.

“Oftentimes art can provide a window to a client's diagnosis or how a client is coping with their mental illness. The therapy it provides is difficult to measure in quantitative terms, but the results are indisputable when it comes to their recovery.'

All of the exhibit artwork will be offered for sale, and all proceeds go directly to the artists. Artwork may be purchased at the opening reception. To purchase art pieces after opening night, please contact Alex Smith at DeltaARTS at (870)7326260 or awsmith@deltaarts.org.

From Alex Smith